a simple thanksgiving

My thanksgiving has been simple and revolutionary. I've had a week off from work and no one to share my glorious free time with.

So I've spent a lot of it in silence, meditating and working on a new quilt. I've also visited with friends and am looking forward to a lovely Thanksgiving meal with a group of twelve warm-hearted souls in San Francisco later today. I haven't been a complete hermit.

Interesting enough while working on a new quilt for the Quiltcon show in the category of negative space, I realized that there is so much rainbow around the dark spaces of life. I guess we can choose which parts to see. I like keeping both in view. I think of this view as the grounded or broadly positive. All rainbow would be grandiose, floaty, and boring.

I can't fully explain my internal tilt from the negative to the broadly positive, except that it started with a deep listening of my thought patterns, followed by letting go of judgement, finding a little compassion for myself, and finally turning over a choice, "If I'm going to let thoughts influence my actions in any way they might as well be grounded in the positive (but not unrealistic)." So simple?

Usually many subtle influences sublime and mundane must come together to deliver an enlightened revolution of mind towards surrender, tenderness and peace. My handy friendly oracle the I Ching reminded me that this is a time for integrity and that integrity fosters self-sufficiency, which leads to gradual progress. I'm reminded and encouraged by the I Ching's wisdom to slow down and recognize that lasting bonds between people develop gradually and organically. I also read this Kaiser article about positive thinking and stress around the holidays.

I'm thankful for having the time, space, relationships --the inner and outer resources-- for continued growth, understanding, and grace. I'm thankful for this feeling of hopeful resilience based on accepting the way things are unfolding in my life today. I feel a lot of grounded joy!